Are Tomatillo seeds worth trying?

[Tripmeup]

As the title states..Are they worth it for a first time tomato grower or should I just stick with the plain old tomatoes ??

thanks

[Alison]

They're totally different to tomatoes and actually easier as they don't get blight and don't need pinching out. They grow well outside, become huge and produce masses of lovely fruits which are rubbish raw but great in chutneys, salsas and all sorts of Mexican dishes.

[VirginVegGrower]

Any recipes Alison as I am trying them this year too? Please

[Helgalush]

Cape Gooseberries are lovely dipped in melted dark chocolate. I am tempted to try growing some of these as well, as I've only ever had supermarket ones.

[rustylady]

Cape Gooseberries are lovely dipped in melted dark chocolate. I am tempted to try growing some of these as well, as I've only ever had supermarket ones.

But cape gooseberries aren't tomatilloes.

[Jelliebabe]

They are similar though arent they!???

[Helgalush]

But cape gooseberries aren't tomatilloes.

I knew it, I knew I would get it wrong again!! I'm getting everything wrong at the moment Its because they are listed in the Tomatillo section of my seed catalogue, which of course just likes to confuse me!

But anyway the dipping in chocolate was the main reason I would like to grow some of these, so will be reading any advice anyone gives about growing them with interest.

[Scarlet]

They are similar though arent they!???

Yes - they are both from the nightshade family, Physalis. I'm going to give cape gooseberry a try this year..

[veggiechicken]

Cape gooseberries are easy to grow from the supermarket fruits. I grow mine in the greenhouse bed, they grow tall 5-6' and needs supporting as the stems are floppy. They flower and fruit throughout the year and are perennial. They self seed easily from a fallen fruit. Mine seldom make it into the house as I graze on them!

[Tripmeup]

Firstly thanks for the advice on tomatillo growing.... But secondly "ooooh no"..... Now you bad people have put another growing possibility in my head... Tut tut

[hollychap]

i grew a few cape gooseberrys a couple of years ago a neighbour gave me some spare plants left them in 10" pots and they produced loads of fruit well worth growing

[DavidJP]

They grow very vigorously when they get going and produce lots of fruit but need a fair amount of room.
Great fresh chopped fine with some tomatoes cilantro, onion, jalapenos and lime juice as a simple salsa or roasted in loads of other dishes.

[Scarlet]

Cape gooseberries are easy to grow from the supermarket fruits. I grow mine in the greenhouse bed, they grow tall 5-6' and needs supporting as the stems are floppy. They flower and fruit throughout the year and are perennial. They self seed easily from a fallen fruit. Mine seldom make it into the house as I graze on them!

Do you know what variety they are? I'm disappointed now, I've just looked at my seed packet and its a dwarf variety "Dwarf Gold" suitable for containers. I've just had a look for a taller variety and I can't find one..

[veggiechicken]

Its from whatever they sold in the supermarket donkey's ears ago. I don't have any seed at the moment but I'll have a good look in the GH tomorrow in case there are any old fruit lying around. If there are I'll send you some.

[Scarlet]

Oh thankyou you are a superstar!